Ontario rejects call for LCBO privatization

The government of Ontario has rejected a call by the Beverage Alcohol System Review panel for selling the Liquor Control Board of Ontario to private owners.

"We are not selling the LCBO," said Sorbara, who called for the report in January.

Nor will the government permit beer and wine to be sold in corner stores nor let the LCBO be turned into an income trust - a type of investment vehicle that gives investors regular dividends for their interests based on sales.

"It is our very strong view that the public interest of Ontarians is best served by the continued public ownership of the LCBO," Sorbara said.

A four-member panel examined how the province can make more money from alcohol sales while remaining socially responsible.

While I'm not at all surprised, I am disappointed that the government has chosen not to follow any of the major recommendations of the panel. I've written about the LCBO monopoly earlier.

Update: The Toronto Sun reacts to the boondoggle:

Cost to the taxpayers for the review panel's work? $600,000.

Here, then, is our calm and considered reaction to these events:

FOR !@@$## SAKE, DOESN'T ANYBODY IN THIS !@@$## LIBERAL GOVERNMENT KNOW WHAT THE !@%$$@ THEY'RE DOING WHEN IT COMES TO !@@#$@ AWAY OUR MONEY!!!!???

Either panel members were out to lunch for recommending something they knew the government wouldn't do, or the Liberals were out to lunch for allowing the review to continue, knowing they weren't going to do what it recommended. You decide.

Hat tip to Jon for the link.